Historic third Ballon d'Or for Aitana Bonmatí as Lamine Yamal misses trophy

The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony brought both triumph and disappointment for FC Barcelona.

Aitana Bonmatí claimed her third consecutive Ballon d’Or, while Lamine Yamal missed out on the trophy.

Bonmatí edged out former Barça player Mariona Caldentey, who finished second and had been highly rated after winning the Champions League with Arsenal. In the end, however, the Catalan star took home the prize.

The Barça midfielder now joins an exclusive list of only five players in history who have previously won three or more Ballon d’Ors: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten.

Speaking mostly in Catalan, Bonmatí thanked her teammates and described the season as "truly outstanding."

"I could not have achieved this on my own. Thanks to Barça for giving me everything. I have spent fourteen years at the club of my life, and I hope to wear this badge on my chest for many more years," she said.

Bonmatí received the award from Barça legend Andrés Iniesta, whom she named as one of her “idols,” alongside Xavi. “My football is in large part thanks to them,” she added.

The Catalan star also highlighted that, for the third year in a row, women receive the same prizes as men at the Ballon d’Or awards.

"This is the equality we have been demanding, and it is very positive," she said.

With this victory, a Catalan player has now won the Ballon d’Or for five consecutive editions, following Putellas’ two consecutive wins before Bonmatí’s three.

Putellas, who was also a top contender, finished in fourth place. Other Barça players nominated included Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, and Claudia Pina.

Lamine Yamal misses out

Barça star Lamine Yamal missed out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the trophy going to PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé.

The Catalan prodigy had been one of the favourites alongside the French forward but ultimately came up short.

Had the 18-year-old claimed the award, he would have broken the record as the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner, currently held by Ronaldo Nazário, who lifted the trophy at 21 in 1997.

Yamal enjoyed a sensational season, emerging as the standout player in a Barça side that reached the Champions League semifinals and lifted both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Yet it was Dembélé’s extraordinary performances last season, guiding PSG to their first-ever Champions League title and completing a historic treble, that proved decisive in securing the Frenchman’s victory.

Other Barça nominees included Pedri, who finished 11th; Raphinha, in fifth; and Robert Lewandowski, who placed 17th.

Barça shines at youth awards

While the Ballon d’Or eluded him, Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy as the season’s best under-21 player.

"It is an honour to be here," the Catalan star said upon receiving the award. "I want to thank my club and national team, my teammates, and my family. Without them, I would not be here."

Yamal also expressed his gratitude to teammate Pau Cubarsí, also 18, who was nominated for the Kopa Trophy as well. The Catalan defender finished seventh in the ranking of the top young players.

The women’s Kopa Trophy also went to a Barça player, with Vicky López taking home the prize.

"This award is for my mum, who from above makes me a better person and player," she said.

The Spanish star also thanked Real Madrid, where her career began, and FC Barcelona "for letting me play for the best team in the world at just 16."

"Thanks to the pioneers of women’s football, because of them I can be here tonight," she concluded.

Flick and Coll miss on awards

Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick missed out on the Johan Cruyff Trophy for best manager, which went to former Barça coach Luis Enrique.

The current PSG manager claimed the award after guiding the French side to their first-ever Champions League title and completing a treble.

Meanwhile, Pere Romeu, manager of Barça’s women’s team, was not nominated. The prize went to Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the England national team to victory at the European Women’s Championship, defeating Spain in the final.

Barça goalkeeper Cata Coll, nominated for the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper of the season, also missed out, with the award going to Hannah Hampton.

In the awards for best clubs, Barcelona was unable to claim a victory in either the men’s or women’s categories. The women’s prize went to Arsenal, while PSG took home the men’s award.